Metallic heddle mechanism for textile-machines



E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I0. 1916.

1,379,099. Patented May 24,1921.

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Inven'l'oa 's I 4 E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS. METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FORTEXTILE MACHINES APPLICATION FILE-D JULY 10| l9l6.

79,0 .Patented May24,1921.

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E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS.

M ETALLIC' HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES.

APPILICATI'ON FILED JULY 10. l9l6.

1,37%);099. Patented May 24, 1921.

' 10 SHEETS-SHEET '3- I l j Inentrs Eyar Effatkawaa/ Charles 772.77Zara WJ/ y 262 S.

E. H ATHA AY AND' c. M. MARS. 1METALLICfi-lQ-DDLEMECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES.

Mme/won FILEU'IULY 10.1916.

' Patented May 24, 1921 I0 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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E.' F. HATHAWAY AND (1. M! MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANiSM FOR TEXTILE MAGHXNES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1916. 1,379,099. Patented May 24,1921.

' ,0 $HEETSSHEET 5.

1%? veiziors Effmtiaa way imri zs 7761 77Za75 E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR IEXTILE MACHINES.

APPUCAHON FILED JULY 0. 19'6- l,379,099. Patented May 24, 1921.

I0 SHEEFSSHEET 6.

JEww/vn to 78 ltgaz" E.Hai7zczw zy E. F. HATHAWAY AND C M. MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES.

4 APPLICATION [ILED JULY I0, I916. 1,379,099. Patented M y 24,1921.

[0 SHEEI'SSHEET 8.

12222642 0219: .Eaycz 7 JTH-ztka way CharZes 77?- T l Za a Q9 gw ta E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, IBIS.

Patented May 24, 1921.

I0 SHEETSSHEET E. F. HATHAWAY AND C. M. MARS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, 1916.

Patented May 24 1921.

IO SHEETS-SHEET I0;

Invenio rs Za'fy'ar J [fathaw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR F. HATHAWAY AND CHARLES M. MARS, 0F DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,

ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO BARBER-COLMAN COMPANY, OF ROCK- FORD, ILLINOIS, A GOR IPOFRATION OF ILLINOIS.

METALLIC HEDDLE MECHANISM FOR TEXTILE-MACHINES.

Application filed July 10, 1916. Serial No. 108,387.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDGAR F. IIATHA- WAY and CHARLES M. MARS, both citizens of the United States,and residents of Dorchester, in the county of Suffolk and State of and particularly relating to means for controlling the drop wire instrumentalities thereof, and the parts, elements and mechanisms particularly co-acting with such means. For purposes of illustration, the invention is herein shown embodied in a warp.

drawing or thread placing machine where the thread placing device is utilized for placing the warp threads through drop wires, harness eyes and reed dents. While our inven tion has particularly advantageous application to a machine of this class, it is, however, susceptible of broad application to machines intended for other or similar purposes than drawing-in machines wherein the selection and separation of warp or other threads isrequired.

The character of the invention will. be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein v Figure 1 is an end elevation of a warp drawing machine constituting the preferred embodiment of our invention;

Fig. 1 is a detail in end elevation of a portion of the means for controlling the movement of the warp supports or carriages;

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a sectional detail of warp. clamp moving means; I

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of thp left hand end of said machine; I

Fig. 3 is afront elevation of the right handend thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view partially in plan and partially in horizontal section upon the line 4.4: of Fig. 1, of the left hand end of the machine; f I

Fig. 5 is a similar View of the right hand end of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a view partially in traverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 2, and partially in elevation of the end clamp for the drop wire supporting bars, herein positioned at the left hand end of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation thereof and the immediate supporting means therefor;

Fig. Sis a front elevation of the carriage for positioning the drop wires in relation to the releasing keys and the adjacent members of the machine;

Fig. 9 is a plan viewpartially in section of the construction shown in Fig. 8;

Fig 10 is a view mainl in vertical section on the'line 10-10 of *ig. 2, of the parts shown in Figs. 8 and 9;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented lVIay 24, 1921.

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the opposite I or right hand end support for the drop wire bars and showing also a portion of the driving means for the drop wire feeding worms, etc.;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view in vertical section on the line 13-13 of Fig. 2 and showing a portion of the driving connection for the parts;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the pattern mechanism and the driving connections for certain of the partsincluding the releasing keys, the drop wire feed worms and the continuous driving means for the warp worms; and

Fig. 15 is a view in section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

While the invention in many of its aspects is applicable to machines other than warp drawing machines and also to warp drawing machines of other types and constructions than that herein shown, we have herein illustrated the invention by embodiment in a well knowntype of drawing-in machine, which therefore need not be described in entire detail.

The machine here shown may as to certain features thereof be of the same general construction as the type of machine shown in British Patent No. 4661 of 1904, and the U. S. Patent to Charles Lea, No. 1,158,869, dated September l l, 1915.

In the illustrated form of machine, as is well known to those skilled in the-art, the heddles, warp threads and drop wires or other similar loom elements which may be and preferably are employed, are supported in a general parallel arrangement lengthwise the machine upon suitable supports carried by the main frame 1 of the machine. Any suitable thread placing device is provided. l/Ve have herein represented a draw ing needle 2 adapted to be suitably reciprocated and carried by the traveling carriage 8, shown most clearly in Fig. i. The said carriage with its needle is caused to traverse the extent of the reed which is or may be supported in the usual manner and is not herein indicated, and the extent of the harnesses, which likewise have been omitted to permit clearness of illustration of other parts. The drawing needle. is also traversed the extent of the drop wires, such drop wires being of any suitable construction, and be ing preferably similar to those indicated in the co-pending application of Edward La Chance and Joseph Pennell, Serial No. 877,769, filed December 17, 1914:. Certain features herein shown are also shown in the patent to Hathaway and Lea,1,188,070.

The needle carriage 3 is positively traversed through the machine by means hereinafter described, said means being operatively related to the main operating or drive'shaft 4, whereby as hereinafter more fully set forth, the needle carriage and the warp supports or carriages are positively and preferably differentially traversed through the 7 machine by means of operating connections from the said main drive shaft 4. I use the term differential and its derivatives to mean in substance at different rates. 7

In the usual manner, the drawing needle 2 places successive warp threads through the desired heddle eye or selected reed dent and drop wires, these being appropriately positioned for this purpose in the needle path by suitable selecting and positioning mechanism.

The drawing-in needle 2 may be operated in any suitable manner. In order to operate the same and the other portions of the mechanism, we have herein provided the main operating or drive shaft 4, which, as shown most clearly in Fig.8, carries a driving pulley 5 receiving power from any suitable source. The said shaft is herein shown as provided with a clutch 6 anda brake 7. As shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the shaft 4 has fastened upon its left hand end viewing Fig. 2 a sprocket gear 8 (Fig. 1) about which passes a sprocket chain 9 also passing about a sprocket gear 10 upon a short shaft 11 having thereon change gear mechanism diagrammatically indicated at 12 and conveying motion to a short shaft 13. The shaft 13 carries a sprocket gear 14 about which passes a sprocket chain 15 also passing about a sprocket pinion 15 on ashaft 16, which is herein represented as provided with two distinct and separate cams 17, 18, most clearly indicated in Fig. 1 and which may be relatively positioned as desired and of different extent and contour, thereby to effect the independent control of the warp supports or carriages hereinafter referred to and at different rates of speed if desired, with respect to each other and (or) to the needle carriage. V y g The needle carriage '3 hereinbefole referred to as positively traversed along the machine is herein provided for that purpose with a divided nut 18 indicated in Fig. & and adapted to be placed through manual control or otherwise in suitable relation with a thread 18" upon the. cam shaft 16, which thus constitutes a lead screw shaft for traversing the needle carriage along the machine and a cam shaft for effecting the traverse of the warp supports or carriages along the machine.

The means for thus positively and differentially operating the needle carriage and a warp supporting means broadly, may be that disclosed in the co-pending application of Field, Lanning, Hathaway 8: Blanchard, Serial No. 142,251, filed F ebruary 6, 1903, wherein, however, but a single warp supporting means was provided for the single warp there disclosed.

The needle 2 may be operated in any suitable manner. As herein shown it is actuated from the main operating or drive shaft 4 through gearing indicated at 19 in Fig. 4

meshing with a gear splined and slidable on the main drive shaft 4:, whereby is rotated the shaft 20 mounted upon the needle caringe and having thereon a crank wheel 21 connected by rod 22 with a lever arm 23, the lower end whereof is fulcrumed upon the needle carriage 3 and the upper end whereof is connected by a link 241 to'the holder for the needle 2, whereby the latter is reciprocated in the suitable guide provided therefor. If desired and preferably we provide a needle stripper indicated generally at 25 in 4. and suitably operated from the shaft 20 through a shaft 26, bevel gearing 27 and other parts not necessary to describe in detail.

The separate banks or groups of drop wires are supported or threaded upon longitudinally extending bars 28, shown in Fig. 4 as three in number. Any suitable number of drop wire supporting bars may be provided. They may be loom bars or special bars onto which the drop wires aretransferred from the loom bars. We provide suitable feeding means for said drop wires and for that purpose have indicated in Fig.

1 shafts 29 carrying drop wire feeding worms 30, preferably of the general confor rotating said shafts 29. Motion is imparted to the gearing in said box by a gear 31 upon a shaft 32 indicated in Fig. l, said shaft being driven in a manner morefully hereinafter set forth.

In order to release the drop wires upon the bars 28, we preferably provide releasing keys corresponding in number to the sets of drop wires and each mounted upon a shaft,

the rotation whereof is controlled by suitable pattern mechanism. The releasing keys extend through openings in the drop wires in the general manner disclosed in the said patent to Lea, No. 1,153,869, whereby at suitable times drop wires are released and are delivered to the worms 30.

The pattern mechanism is diagrammatically indicated at 33 in Fig. 5, and will be more. fully hereinafter described. It is so constructed, and arranged that the releasing key shafts may be operated in any combination or sequence or variable order that is desired, thereby to release drop wires from any bar 28, to'thefeeding action of the feed worms 30. For example, thesaid shafts and the warp worm shafts hereinafter described and which are also controlled by the pattern mechanism, may be operated in a repeated sequence to present warp threads and drop wires to the needle or a plurality of threads may be presented by one worm shaft followed by the presentation of. a plurality of threads by another'worm shaft or the said worm shafts may be operated simultaneously to present threads to the needle so that twowarp threads would be drawn in at the same time The feeding of warp threads from each warp support or carriage is independent of the feeding of warp threads from the other warp support or carriage, and the same is'trueof the releasing of the drop wires, as well as of the heddles, hereinafter referred to.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, we provide a plurality and herein specifically a pair of independent warp sup porting means or carriages which are independently traversed through the machine. We effect the independent automatic control of the said two warp supports or carriages, and we preferably also arrange for hand control of either of said carriages and'as herein disclosed in a selective manner and, as above stated, we provide for the pattern control of the individual warp threads of the said carriages. These purposes and objects of our invention may be efi'ected in many different ways. We shall, without in any way limiting ourselves thereto, proceed to describe the selected embodiment of means for effecting the desired results. In

accordance with our invention, we impart movement to the warp carriages which are differential. either with respect to each other or with respect to the needle carriage, or with respect to both, and we impart a compensating movement to one or both of the warp carriages, such compensating movement herein being represented as hand controlled.

, Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, we have herein represented two warp beams 34, 35, the warp threads 36 from the beam 34: passing through a suitable twopart clamp 37 mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of the machine in suitable guides 38 provided in suitable brackets 39, one at each end of the machine and supported upon the end uprights of the framing. The warp threads 36 extend from the clamp 37 to and about a warp worm 4L0 and thence to a sec ond two-part clamp 41. The shaft 40 upon which the warp worm 40 is mounted is suitably and herein loosely supported at the left handend of the machine in a bracket 42 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4, and at the opposite end of the machine the shaft 40 is suitably supported for rotative movement lmparted thereto in a manner hereinafter;

feeding or spacing screw or worm portion by which the threads are presented to the hook of the drawing-in needle 2 successively.

The warp threads 36' from the second varp 7 part clamp 4 .3 mounted similarly to the clamp 87, in suitable guides 44 provided in said brackets 89 at opposite ends of the machine. The said warp threads 36 thence pass about the warp worm 4E5 supported in general parallel relation to the warp worm 40 and driven in a suitable manner, and from tl'iencesaid warp threads pass through a two part clamp 46, said two warp worms l0, 45 being within convenient range of the drawing-in needle.

The two warp worms 4O, 45 are each intermittently driven from the main drive shaft 4: and the intermittent driving thereof is controlled by said pattern mechanism 33, hereinafter more fully described, whereby said worms 40, 45 independently rotated. Thus in the disclosed embodiment of our invention, we selectively drive through the pattern mechanism the warp worms 40Land 45, and the key releasing shafts for the drop beam pass through a suitable two other set of 'arp threads, although the clamps of each support structurally distinct. Any suitable means may be provided whereby independently and if desired differentially the two pairs of clamps, that is, the two supports or carriagemechanisms, may be traversed through the machine in addition to which, as herei -after set forth, we provide a compensating movement for both of said warp supports, and preferably though not necessarily this is effected through manually controlled means. Preferably, however, we employ as previously stated the two cams 17, 18 upon the lead screw cam shaft 16. Said cams maybe of any desired extent and shape to efiect a differentiation in speed of the feed of the two warp supports or carriages.

In order to convey motion from the said cams 17, 18 to the said two carriage mechanisms, we have herein provided the follow ing co-acting instrumentslities.

Upon a stud 47, shown most clearly in Figs. 1. and 1 are independently pivoted two levers48, 49 either or both of which may be held out or action by latches, one of which is indicated at 49 in Fig. 1. These levers are provided with projections 49, which are adapted to be held against the cams 17, 18 by springs 49", as disclosed most particularly in the co-pending application of Edgar F. Hathaway, Serial No.

108,380. Said levers 48, 49 are pivotally connected to rods 50, 51, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to suitable levers, themselves pivotally mounted upon suitable pins 56, 57 carrying second levers which are mounted upon stud 60, 61 extending from. the framing. Upon said studs 60,

61 are loosely mounted suitable worms 62,63

carrying or having integral therewith ratchets 64, 65 with which mesh pawls 66, 67 upon the said pins, whereby in the rotation of screw shaft 16 the cams 17, 1-8. impart intermittent and independent rotation to the said worms 62, 63.

The means for imparting rotative movement to each of aid worms 62, 63 may be and preferably is similar to or the same as the means disclosed in the said application of Field, Lanning, Hathaway & Blanchard, Serial No. 142,251, for imparting rotative movement to the worm disclosed therein, whereby the single warp carriage or support istraversed through the machine.

provided each of said clamps with a rack.

68, 69 (Fig. 1) formed upon or attached to.

the inner face thereof and with the teeth of which said worms 62, 63 respectively mesh, whereby said clamps are independently and if desired differentially traversed along the machine, in an automatic manner.

In order that the corresponding clamps 41, 46 constituting portions of said warp carriages, may be traversed'through the machine, each in unison with its corresponding clamp 37, 43, we'may employ any suitable means. Herein we have mounted each of said clamps 41', 46 in the generally U-shaped brackets'ZO, 71. Each of said brackets has formed or mounted upon the lower face thereof a rack 72, with which meshes a worm 7 3 loose upon a stud shaft 76, laterally extending from a block 78 (one of which is shown in Fig. 1); The blocks 78 are mountedfor sliding movement upon the rods 80, 81 pivotally mounted at 82 in the end brackets 39, it being understood that preferably at each end of the machine, we provide the described means supporting the said clamps 41, 46, the driving means therefor being, however, provided only at one end of the machine. The said rods 80, 81 may be adjusted to any desired angle or inclination in their pivotal supports and clamped in the desired position to secure the proper tension'ing and positioning of the warp threads.

In order to convey unison movement to the clamps 37, 41 and clamps 43, 46, we may provide any suitable means but herein we have shown two endless sprocket chains 83, 84 passing about suitable sprocket gears 85, 86 fast with the said worms 62, 63 and also passing about sprocket gears 87, 88 upon stud shafts 89, 90 mounted in suitable bearings upon a stationaryshaft or support 91 extending from the frame upright at the left hand end of the machine as most clearly shown in Fig. 1. Said sprocket chains 83, 84.21180 pass about idler sprocket pinions 92, 93 suitably mounted and supported by the framing. Said sprocket chains mesh as shown with sprocket gears 95, 96 respectively fast with the worms 7 3, whereby the clamps 41 and 46 are driven. The said chains also extend about idler sprocket gears 97, 98, each carried by a suitable block adjustably mounted at the outer ends of said rods 80, 81, and also about suitable idler sprocket pinions 99, 100 mounted upon the adjacent brackets 39 and thus are returned to the respective sprocket gears 85, 86 upon the worms 62, 63.

In this or in any other suitable manner, unison movements are imparted to the clamp 37 and the clamp 41, constituting or comprising a portion of one warp carriage,

and are also imparted to the clamps 13, 46, constituting or comprising a portion of the other warp carriage.

As herein shown, the upper and lower clamps of the respective carriages are not mounted or held in a common housing or member, but they are operatively connected so as respectively tomove together and thereby constitute portions of the respective warp supports or carriages.

In addition to the independent automatic control of the plurality of warp supports or carriages, we preferably provide for a selective hand control of either of said warp supports'or carriages, and preferably whereby such hand control may be exercised first upon one and then upon the other of said warp supports or carriages, or in any de sired order' whereby compensating movement is imparted thereto.

For this purpose we have herein represented as pivotally mounted at 101 at each end of the machine upon the frame upright a lever arm 102, herein shown as having pivotally connected thereto intermediate its ends a link 103 pivotally connected at its upper end at 10 1 to a lever arm 105 itself pivoted at 106, thereby providing parallel motion means to effect and secure the proper movement of said lever arms 102. The outer free end of each lever arm 102 is provided with a transverse slot 107 having loosely mounted therein a shaft 108 on which is splined a pinion 109 adapted to mesh with either a pinion 110 fast with the sprocket 87 or with a pinion 111 fast with the sprocket 88, the construction being such that the pinion 109 remains in mesh with whichever pinion 110 or 111 it is manually brought into engagement. The pinion 109 is, as stated, splined upon the shaft 108 whereby said pinion may remain in mesh with either the pinion 110 orthe pinion 111, while permitting longitudinal movement of said shaft 108, preferably manually, thereby to control the clutch mechanism of the machine in a manner similar to that disclosed in the patent to Hathaway and Lea, No. 1,169,087, dated January 18, 1916. In this manner, the machine may be stopped or started by the operator wherever he may be standing between the ends thereof. The said shaft 108 in Fig. 3 is bifurcated at 112 for the passage of the upper curved portion 113 of the upright lever 114 pivoted at 115 and operatively connected in a manner not herein necessary more fully to describe with the clutch 60f the machine.

When it is not desired to impart hand adustment to either warp support or carriage, the shaft 108 may be swung by the operator into an elevated or non-active position by a movement of the lever arms 102 upwardly about the points 101, said arms being then supported in such non-active position by any shaft.

suitable latch or other means, not herein necessary more fully to describe.

l ve may, if desired, provide means manuallyto drive the main drive shaft 4: and the various parts controlled thereby. For this purpose, and as shown most clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a longitudinally extending shaft 116 ismounted in suitable bearings 117, 117,

' rovided in the end upii hts and havin if A b v 7 CD desired one or more hand wheels 118 to effect more ready rotative movement of said If desired, clutch or other means 118 may be provided to prevent rotation of the shaft 116 in. the wrong direction. At the left-hand end of said shaft, we have. provided a bevel gear 119, meshing with a similar gear 120 upon an inclined shaft 121 extending in a downward direction into proximity to the main drive shaft 4:, where similar beveled gears (not shown) operatively connect said shafts. By disconnecting the main power drive, the'entire inachine may be driven manually through the said shaft 116.

The machine herein disclosed .may be. and preferably is, provided with means whereby the desired heddles of the 'varieus groupsof heddles may be selected and positioned for the passage therethrough of the drawing in needle. In 4, we have indicated six heddle selecting shafts 122, each provided with a worm 122 of the general construction shown in the patent to Lea, 1,153,869, and in that to Field, 7 55,861, the said worms and their shafts being controlled in operation by the pattern mechanism hereinafter more fully described.

It is evident that one of the warp beams 3 1, 35, may carry the bulk of the warp threads and the other may carry a smaller number of threads, or that there may be any suitable distribution of the threads thereon. For example, the arrangement may be such that ten threads may be selected from one warp beam, and then one thread might be selected from the other, thereby arranging the threads for producing a woven-in stripe effect. The threads on one beam may be of a different size from those on the other, or of a different character, or they may be differentiated therefrom in any desired manner. a

' The bars 28, as previously stated, may be loom bars whereon in the weaving operation the drop wires are supported, or they may be special bars to which for the drawing-in operation the drop wires are transferred. The said bars 28 are preferably supported in a clamp generally indicated. at 132 in Fig. 2. and shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 andhereinafter more fully described. The other ends of said bars 28 are preferably loosely supported in a bracket shown most clearly in Figs. 1-1, 12 and 13. and hereinafter more fully described. We preferably provide a packer carriage 123 broadly similar to that shown in the patent to Lea, No. 1,158,869, and by means of which the several series of drop wires may be held with suitable pressure against the respective releasing keys, so that when released they are immediately discharged into the drop wire feed worms. Said carriage 123, however, has certain features of broad novelty hereinafter described. I

It will be evident from the foregoing description that for each of the two sets of warp threads, we have provided two clamps, the clamps for each set of warp threads being automatically traversed longitudinally of the machine, and the two sets of clamps for the two sets of warp threads being, if desired, traversed longitudinally of the machine at different rates of speed. Selective hand traversing means is provided whereby in any desired order, the two sets of warp threads may be moved compensatingly, longitudinally of the machine. Selective mechanism is provided governing the presentation of the threads to the drawing-in needle, there being two separate warp worms about which the respective warp threads are wrapped. Inasmuch as said warp worms are pattern controlled, it is evident that the threads may be fed to the place of the drawing-in needle in any desired'order or sequence. By the pattern mechanism not only are the warp worms selectively controlled, but also the release key shafts and the heddle worms, thus permitting any desired selection of the heddles, the drop wires and the warp threads.

While the drop wire supporting bars 28 may be special bars provided for and constituting a part of the l1'lQCl1llI1iS""l, or may he the loom or mill bars which in the weavinn operation carry or support the drop wires, an important object of our invention is to provide suitable means whereby loom or mill T op wire bars may be positioned in the dr. g-in inechan'siu, and yet the threading of the drop w s,-that is, the mena e 3% the drawin in needle throu 'h H m the openings therein provided for the purpose,-n1a v be accurately carried out. Vi e have discovered that the under edges of the loom or mill drop wire supportin a it to be exceedingly irregular, and to become worn in the weaving operation because the shedding action constantly'lifts the drop wires against the said under edge of said bars. On the other hand, the upper surfaces of said bars receive very little wear, inasmuch as the drop wires in practice contact therewith substantially only when a warp thread breaks, and suchcontact is momentary or for a very brief period. Inasmuch,

therefore, as the upper edges of the loom or 1 mill drop wire supporting bars are-straight and unworn, we have availed ourselves of this fact, and have so located and positioned the said loom or null drop wire bars 1n the machine and determined the exact posltloning of the upper edges thereof, that in the we have therein indicated a fixed shafting 124: extending forwardly from the left-hand end upright of the machine. Thereon is received a bearing member "125, having a transverse hub portion 126, wherein is received an elongated spindle orrod 1.27, which, as

shown in Fig. 7, is provided with a groove 128 to receive the end of a set screw 129 tapped into the collar 130. By loosening said set screw, the spindle or rod127 may he slid through the bearing so as to carry inwardly ortoward the right, viewing Fig. 7, the end support or clamp for the drop wire supporting bars. An important purpose of this construction is to adapt the machine to support various lengths of drop wire supporting bars. Certain of such loom or mill bars may be or are of comparatively short length. By the described or other suitable adjustment, we'have provided for thereception andsupport ofmany dilferent lengths of drop wire supporting bars.

assing through and adjustably mounted in the spindle or rod 127 is a spindle or stud 131 upon the upper end ot which is received a block or bracket 1132 held in the desired position of verticaladjustment by a set screw 133. Secureiil to or forming a part of the block orbracket 132 is a depending, or plate-like, ineml'ier 134- having former with or secured thereto anvinwardly projecting base. portion Positioned beneaththe base 135 is a plate 136, through which loosely pass pins 13?, each having a head 138. Surrounding each of said pins is an expansive spring 139, and carried by the upper ends of each of said pins is a head or socket member 1%) having a slot or groove 141] therein to receive the respective drop wire supporting rod 28. Loosely passing vertically through the inwardly extending head portion 142 of the block or bracket 132 is a spindle 143, the lowerithreaded end 144;

of which is-tapped intothe threaded opening 1t5 in the base portion 135, and takes against the upper face of the plate 136at 146. The upper end of the spindle 143 is provided with. ahandle 147 by which it may besuitably turned.

By sufliciently advancing the threaded portion of the spindle 143 in the threaded opening 145, the plate 136 is depressed, thereby moving downward the socket members 1&0 against the action of the springs 139 sufliciently from the head 1.42 to permit the ready insertion or removal of the drop wire supporting bars 28. By turning the spindle in the opposite direction,t he sockets 140 are permitted to be moved upwardly by the expansion of the springs 139. Each socket l lO may contain a transverse pin over which the transversely notched end of the appropriate bar 28 may be hooked. In this manner, the drop wire bars 28j may be tightly clamped in proper position, it being understood that the under face MS of the head portion i l-2 of the clamp is fixed at the height or level that detern'zines the proper positioning of the warp thread receiving eye, or drawing-in needle receiving eye, of the drop wire. At their opposite ends, the drop wire supporting bars 28 are loosely positioned in slots 14:9 in a bracket 150 shown in Figs. 11, '12 and 13, as extending upwardly from a gear 130x30 hereinafter described.-

The springs 139 also perform another function. They normally are to hold the upper edges of the drop wire supporting bars 28 against the under face 1.48 of the head 142. They, however, permit the slight downward movement of said supporting bars 28 and the drop wires, if in the drawing-in action the needle meets the drop wires slightly below the center of the needle or thread receiving opening of said drop wires. Intermediate the opposite end supports forthe drop wire supporting bars 28 is positioned thecarriage 123 heretofore referred to as mounted upon and longitudinally movable along the tracks 1%. As most clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the saio carriage is provided with. rolls 125, 126, adapted to travel along the upper and lower faces of said tracks 1%. The said carriage is provided with an upwardly extending relatively thin body portion 127, herein passing between two of the bars l28that support the lower ends of the drop wires substantially up to the time when they are released by the releasing keys, said bars 128 being vertically adjustable at both ends in any suitable manner. The upper end of said body portion 127' is provided with a head 129 longitudinally grooved for the reception of three so-called equ alizers 130, 131, 132', each of said equalizers, as shown in Fig. 10, being itself longitudinally grooved at 1.33 for the reception of the rods 133 for the release keys; Y lnthe' operation of the Inechanism,said equalizers 130', 131, 139/, are pressedagainst the innerends of the banks of drop wires, so as-to hold them against the releasing keys in position to be released therefrom. Inasmuch as in practice the drop wires are or may be released by the releasing keys according to the call of the pattern, it follows that, during the operation of the machine,

unequal; numbers of drop wires are contained in the several banks of drop wires. For this reason, and in order that uniform pressure may be obtained on all the banks of drop wires, we have provided the equalizers 130, 131, 132', which by pressure upon such banks of wires maintain an equality of pressure 'of said wires against the releasing keys. Furthermore, because ofthe use of equalizers, it-is unnecessary to start the operation with anequal number of drop wires in the several banks. 7 Y

' -In order to preserve the equality-of pressure action of the equalizers" 131, 132, the inner or adjacent faces thereof are toothed as represented at 135,136, and therewith mesh the teeth upon a pinion 137, so that if one of said equalizers advances under the call of the pattern, the other one is correspondingly retarded. The equalizer 180 is yieldingly pressed forward by a contractile spring 188 connected at one. end to a pin 139 laterally extending from said equalizer, and at the other end toa screw 140 upon the head 129 of the carriage 123. i y

It has been stated that the position of the upper edge of the drop wire bars 28 determines the position of the thread receiving openings of the drop wires, and that the position of the said upper edge is fixed by the under face 14.8 of the top piece 142 of the In order that the upper edge of each of said drop wire supporting bars 28 may be maintained level throughout the extent of said bars, or at least pastthef drawing-in point, we have provided thefollowing construction, to which, however, our invention is not limited.

Upwardly extending fromthe head 129 of the carriage is a spindle 14:1, the upper end of which is threaded as indicated at 142, to receive nuts 145% determining the vertical position on the. spindle of a sleeve 1 providcd with laterally extending portion 145' liaving a transverse opening 146, wherein, is

received a sleeve 145 011 which sleeve is pivoted a lever 148 having an operating handle 149'. The said lever is provided with a cam head 150, adapted to actagainst the laterally extending portion 151, of a sleeve 152,

loosely mounted upon the spindle 141 and normally upwardly pressed by the action of an expansive spring 153 surrounding said spindle. Removably received within the sleeve 147' is a pin 15 i, which if desired maybe attached to the upper end of the spindle 14:1 to prevent loss or displacement. Said pin 15% is provided with a seriesof circumferential {grooves 155 corresponding in number with the number of drop wire supporting bars 28, hereinshown-as three. t

i the under side of the grooves 155 is at the same height or level as the under face 148 of the toppiece 142 of the clamp.

Each of said drop wire supporting bars 28, as most clearly shown in Fig. 10, rests in a groove 156 in a block or plate 157 mounted upon a spindle 158 upwardly extending from the base of the portion 151 of the sleeve 152, which portion 152, as shown most clearly in Fig. 10, is of general U-shape. When, therefore, the lever 148 is in the position shown in Fig. 8, the drop wire support ing bars 28 are forced firmly upward into the grooves 155 of the pin 154, thereby maintaining the upper edges of said bars 28 level. When it is desired to move the carriage 123' toward the left, viewing Fig. 8, the lever 148 is turned contra-clockwise viewing said figure, thereby depressing the sleeve 152 against the action of the sprmg 153.

r The needle carriage and gear head are rigidly connected together as hereinafter described and travel longitudinally through the machine toward the right, viewing Fig. 8. The carriage 123 is therefore in the drawing-in operation gradually moved toward the right, viewing Fig. 8, but at the same time, it is subjected to means tending to draw it toward the left, viewing Fig. 8, in a manner not herein necessary fully to isclose, as it may be similar to that shown in the patent to Charles Lea, 1,153,869, Sept. 14, 1915. Herein, for the purpose, we preferably provide a drum having a coiled spring, from which drum extends a metallic tape or ribbon 158, (Fig. 8) the end of which isadapted to be received by the hook 159 upon the under side of the carriage 123. It will be understood that the drop wires are released by the releasing keys at the left-hand side of said carriage 123, viewing Fig. 8. It will further be understood that the longitudinal extent of the supporting bars 128 is such that, just before each drop wire reaches the threading position, it drops off the end of its supporting bar 128, and is then supported upon the upper edge of its bar 28. It will further be understood that the drop wire supporting bars 28 are held yieldingly against the under side of the pin 154', and that the action of the spring within the drum is such as to overcome the friction between the bars 28 and the pin 154, and to exert a pull upon the carriage 123 toward the left, viewing Fig. 8.

In the disclosed embodiment of our invention, we have, in Figs. 4, 14 and 15, represented six heddle manipulating rods 122, each provided with a worm 122 (Fig. 4).

The number of these rods, of course, may

be varied in different machines. Each of said rods is rotated at the call of the pattern mechanism. In Fig.15, we have represented the reed opener shaft 160, this being also rotated in accordance with the call of the pattern in a manner not herein necessary more fully to describe. The release key rods 133 are also rotated at the call of the pattern as well as the two warp worms 40 and 4.5. In the disclosed embodiment of our invention, however, the shafts or rods 29 carrying the drop wire feed worms 30 are continuously rotated. e have already stated that the shafts 29 for the said drop wire feed worms 30 extend into a gear box 30. As shown most clearly in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the gear box 30 has positioned therein upon. each of the drop wire feed worm rods the pinions 161, 162, 163, the pinions 161, 162, being connected in rotation by the smaller pinion 164 and the pinions 162, 163 being in meshing relation with each other. The shaft 29 whereon is mounted the pinion 162 extends through the gear box 30, and has fast upon its outer end a pinion 165 (Fig. 12) meshing with the gear 31 previously referred to. The gear 31. is fast as previously stated upon the shaft 32, and, as most clearly shown in Fig. 14, has at its right-hand end a bevel pinion 166 meshing with a similar pinion 167 upon a shaft 168 extending transversely of the machine, and mounted in suitable bearings 169 upon the gear head 170. Upon the other end of the transverse shaft 168, (see Fig. 14) is a bevel pinion 171, meshing with a similar pinion 172 upon a short shaft 173 mounted in the gear head. The shaft 173, as most clearly shown in Fig. 15, has thereon a gear 175 meshing with a pinion 176 upon a shaft 177, having thereon a gear 178 meshingwith a larger gear 179 upon a shaft 180. The said gear 180 meshes with a pinion 181, splined upon the main drive the feed worms for the drop wires are constantly rotated from the main drive shaft of the machine.

The gear 179 on the shaft 180 meshes with a gear 182 fast upon a shaft 183, as most clearly shown in Fig. 15, and said gear 182 meshes with and drives a pinion 184 upon a shaft 185. By reason of the Geneva-like stop motion 186, 187, the gear 188 upon the shaft 189 is intermittently rotated. Said gear 188 meshes with and intermittently r0- tates a pinion 190 upon the reed opener shaft 160, but as indicated in Fig. 14, the rotation of said reedopener shaft 160 is controlled by the call of the pattern.

The gear 188 also meshes with and drives a gear 191 upon a shaft 192 that mesheswith a pinion 193 upon one of the harness rods 122, whereby the entire train of six' harness rods is suitably driven. In order to prevent back lash, we have herein represented the gear 191 as meshing with alarger gear 194 upon a shaft 195, said gear 194 meshing with one of the pinions 193 of the harness rods 122. The rotation of said harness rods is, however, subject to thecall of the pattern as heretofore stated.

The release key rods 133", herein shown as three in number, are in Fig. 15 represented as having thereon pinions 196. driven from the pinions 193 ofthe harness rods, said release key rods being also controlled by the call of the pattern. 7

As shown most clearly in Fig. 14, the transverse shaft 168 has thereon a spiral gear 197, meshing with a similar and smaller gear 19 8 upon a short shaft 199 extending longitudinally of the machine. Said shaft 199 is, therefore, continuously rotated from the main drive shaft of the machine through the said transverse shaft 168, and the described connection therefrom to the said main drive shaft. Upon said constantly roupon the framing of the machine. The bars 206 are-rigidly connected with said gear head and also with the needle carriage whereby the gear head and needle carriage move in unison, and as one member through the machine. r

The needle carriage 3 carries the warp worm 40 and 45 with it in its travel. The gear box 30' is connected in the usual way to the needle carriage 3 and the gear head 170 to travel therewith.

As most clearly indicated in Fig. 12, the inner ends of the release key rods are removably received in chucks 208 upon shafts 209 extending through the gear box 30', and having upon their opposite ends universal joints 210, by which are driven the shafts 211. As most clearly shown in Fig. 14, the opposite end of said shafts 211 have universal joints 212, whereby are rotated the shafts 213, the rotation of said shafts 213 being controlledby the call of the pattern.

Thus, from the foregoing description, 1t

will be evident that the rotation of the reed opener, theharness control rods, the'release key rods andthe warp worm rods or shafts, is'controlled by the call of the pattern.

The pattern mechanism may be of any suitable character.- It is shown in greatest detail in Fig. 14, it having been generally indicated at 33 in Fig. 5.

The pattern mechanism need not be described in. detail, inasmuch as n 1ts preferred form, it is like or substantially. like that shown in the said cospending application of La Chance and Pennell, like that disclosed in the application of Charles Lea, Serial No. 692,468, andfllike that shownin the patent to Hathaway & Lea, No. 1,169,087, January 18, 1916. 1 I

It is'sufiicient to state that thepinions shown in Fig. 14 are adapted to be clutched to their shafts to rotate the latterat the times desired. Said clutches are controlled by-spring pressed rods and a pattern mechanism. Said pattern mechanism is herein represented as comprising a cylinder having perforations adapted to be brought into, registration with a row of feeler bars, each having an intervening blank, or separating washer. With each retraction of the drawing-in needle, the clutches of the pattern mechanism are thrown into engagement to connect the driving devices of the worm'- shafts therewith, but are immediately released unless held by the interposition of. a washer in the path of a plunger rod.

As heretofore set forth, each of the worms for feeding the released drop wires is con-- tinuously I rotated. Several advantages accrue from such constant rotation. Not only is there a constant drive thus secured, buta slower and easier motion is provided for.

Moreover a convenient arrangement of the co'o'perating mechanism for multiple bank work is secured, and furthermoreit is possible readily to release the drop wires in any order according to the call of the pattern.

Heretofore it has been customary and neces-- sary to release the drop wires in the sequence of the gearing and in a certain order. A pattern control 10f the drop wire release has been provided, but the arrangement has been such that a regular sequence, of drop wire release has been provided for, and while pauses or stops have-occurred 1n the sequence with subsequent resumption, the release; has always been inthe same sequence. 1n accordance with our present invention, it is possible through the pattern control to re-. lease the drop wires in any variable order.

In all prior meohanismsof which we are aware, there has been provided a unitary drive to all drop wire mechanisms from the drive or pattern head, whereby all the drop wire mechanism in its geared sequence could be caused to dwell or be operated as desired in such sequence. In accordance'with our feeding devices for the released drop wires are constantly driven from the mainhead with no pattern control thereof, but'with individual patterncontrol of the respective release keys related to each turning worm or feeding device for the release keys, so that present invention, the turning worms or" the pattern control of each of the drop wire mechanisms is had. v

The support for the bars carrying or sup porting the drop wires is such thatthereis provided an automatic traversing gustifymg mechanism for the drop wires, whereby the drop wire supporting bars near the point of needle operation are thrown or pressed upwardly so as constantly to position the upperedge of the supporting bars at the proper distance from the thread holes .inthe drop wires desired to be alined with the drawinginneedle.

It will furthermore beapparent that we have provided spring tension supporting means "for the ends of the drop wlre supporting bars independently related to each drop wire supporting bar with a common hand screw mechanism to throw the supporting; means out of engagement and per-.

mit ready removal of the supporting bar.

Furthermore we have provided a sliding support for the end supports of the drop wire supporting bars 28 permitting limited longitudinal, automatic movement of the drop wire supporting bars and supporting devices.- This construction is of importancefinasmuch as it permits loom bars (drop wire supporting bars) to be used in the drawing-in machine where. othewise they are too short forthepurpose, without transferring-the drop wires from the loom bars to special barsof the drawing-in" machine.

We have herein referred to drop wires.

.This-term is used generically and includes dropherildles. 1 V

.It will loe seen that the surface 148 ig.

7.) andthe bottom .ofIthe groove 155 (Fig.

10.) ,at. the lower side of. the pin 1542 c011- 'stitute positioning means for the upper .-edge.of..each bar 28. Each bar 28issupported at one end byzmeans- (1-32) on the vmain frame, at,.another pointby the support 150 (Fig. '11) on the main carriage,

and .at an intermediate point by the part 157' (Fig. 10).on the packer carriage 123.

Prior to selection, the drop wires are supported upon the bars 128. of the main carriage. 1

Having thus described one .illustrativeembodiment of our invention, we desire it to be-understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for-purposes of limitation, the scope of theinventionbeing set forth in .the following claims.

Claims: 1. Textile mechanism comprising in .com-

. bination, thread selecting mechanism, means to 1 support rdrop avires, pattern controlled -re llea'slng means sfor the drop -W1res, feeding 1 "means for the drop wires, and means to impart continuous movement 'to said feeding means.- V

2. Textile mechanism comprising in combination, means to support drop :wires, :pattern controlled releaslng means for the drop w1res,.feed1ng means for the drop wires,

to impartmov and meansto impart continuous movement to said feeding means.

3.1Iextile mechanism comprising in coinbinat on, thread selectlng mechanism, means to support dropwires, pattern controlled releasing means for the drop Wires, a rotary feeding device for released drop wires, and means for imparting continuous rotation to said rotary device.

4:. Textilemechanism comprising in combination, thread selecting mechanism, means 1 to support a plurality of, banks of drop wires, pattern controlled releasing means therefor, a feed worm for the released drop wiresfrom each. bank, and means .to impart continuous rotation .to said feed worm.

5. Textile mechanism comprisingin com- "bination, drawing-in mechanism, a. plural- .ity of, warp worms, means 'forsupporting V a corresponding plurality ofjgroupsof warp threads, means to support h pluraliit of "banks of drop vires,' releasing means '1; renefor, pattern mechanism controllin Said 'warp worms and releasing means, ceding means fo r releasing drop -wires,] and means ement of continuous rotation "to saidfeeding means.

6. Textile mechanism comprising incombinatlon, draxvmgan mechan sm, a plurality of warp worms, means to support corresponding plurality of groups of warp threads, heddle selecting means gsupporting meansfor a plurality of banks o'frlrop wires,

releasing means therefor, pattern means for controlling the action of sa d heddle select ing means, warpnworms and drop wire r eleasing means, feeding means 'forreleased drop wires,- and means to imparta movement of continuous; rotation to said feeding drop wire supports, means upenfthe carriage to move the \uppenfaces-of said drop wire supports from said carriage. p

9: Textile mechanism compr singin com- 'bination, drop wire supportingbars, supportingmeans therefor, .a carriage movable -gsupporti1ig means to :a predetermined p0 SltlOll, and means. to release said dropwire' alongsaidgbars to cooperatewith .the drop '125 .wires, said .carriage'having means; to .position the upper edges-of said bar 101' harsat predetermined; height, and meansto release said. bar or bars. fro1n said carriage.

10. Textile'mechanism comprising in com 

